Warnings of turkey shortage this Christmas amid ‘unprecedented’ cases of avian flu

Poultry producers and purchasing companies have warned that “turkey will be scarce this Christmas” due to “unprecedented” cases of avian flu.

Hospitality businesses could face paying a premium for birds in the run up to the festive season and have been advised to offer alternatives on their menus.

The situation has been described as one of “considerable concern” by Prestige Purchasing as further avian flu cases continue to be reported on a weekly basis. Turkey producers estimate 300,000 birds have been lost so far this year.

James Mottershead, NFU poultry board chair, told The Caterer: “The British poultry sector has experienced a very difficult year and continues to suffer from the ongoing threat of avian influenza. We are also working against soaring energy and input costs which are impacting farms across the country.

He added: “Turkey producers are doing all they can to protect the health and welfare of their birds at this difficult time and are working hard to maintain production levels despite outbreaks of avian influenza, especially as we approach Christmas.”

The impact of the avian flu outbreak has been aggravated by months of labour shortages, increased transport costs and high feed prices across the poultry industry.

Turkey is expected to be especially hardly hit due to the annual spike in demand and a slowing supply of Polish turkey as producers hold out for higher prices while stocks are low.

Impact on hospitality

Procurement companies and wholesalers have said that other areas of the UK poultry industry are facing similar pressures, which is likely to limit alternatives for hospitality businesses.

Stuart Read, marketing manager for Prestige Purchasing, told The Caterer: “Duck flocks have been severely hit by avian flu, and concerns remain that this is only the beginning of the outbreaks.

"Chicken pricing has increased considerably over recent months, as production costs continue to mount, and goose production is also experiencing these pressures.

“There can now be very little doubt that turkey will be scarce this Christmas, and as a result the price will rise.”

He suggested that hospitality businesses should “consider offing festive alternatives such as venison or pork, and also look to push vegetarian and vegan options”.

Rachel Dobson, managing director of hospitality buying specialist Lynx Purchasing, added: “Operators have already seen sharp increases in all poultry prices this year, and should expect to have to pay a premium price in the run up to Christmas.

“Our advice is to assess the demand for Christmas menus as early as possible, and to place orders in good time. While there’s no escaping price increases, keep talking to suppliers and keep menu descriptions flexible wherever possible.”

A spokesperson for Brakes said it had a back-up of frozen products and access to additional supplies of European fresh and frozen produce if there was a shortage of fresh British turkeys.

Trade union Unison has warned a strike by staff at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) could also impact meat supply chains in the run up to Christmas. It is balloting members on industrial action over a pay dispute, with the vote due to close on 31 October.

Robert Locker, head of field operations at the FSA, said it had contingency plans to help “minimise any disruption” to meat supplies if a strike went ahead.

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